CML's First Haircut

So, in spite of JVL's vehement, emotional protestations, Cordelia's hair has gotten out of control. It touches her plumber's crack when it's wet. And she hates having it washed, because that means it will have to be combed...ouch. More vehement, emotional protestations. I finally convinced them it was time for Miss Amina to give her a trim. (Naturally, Cody was so thrilled to see her that he got a haircut too, even though he didn't actually need one.)

Cordelia was...displeased. This is the aftermath of her salon hairwash, though which she cried, screamed, and clung to me, wailing, "I need COMFORT!" She was determined not to be a good sport (a theme in our house since 12/27/12).

 

Yet it turned out...it wasn't so bad. Miss Amina had this awesome brush that detangled her hair without so much as a wince. (They sold them. For $13.99. For a child's brush. We bought one. Electric pink.)

 And there were three-way mirrors, so she really got to enjoy the show. 

 Then she had her hair dried for the first time and loved it. Hopsy had her fur dried, too. 

 Then Miss Amina gave her a pretty barrette...

...and yes, she could be a child model. If only we lived in NYC, and I were crazy. 

The best part of all was that I gave her my twisty towel, which she can use from now on after her baths. She loved it, and wore it for two hours. ; )

Cody, Bidi, and Patches: After Dark

A couple nights ago, about 45 minutes after bed time, I heard some commotion in Cody's room. And I went up to investigate.

When I walked in, Cody was sitting in bed rifling through his covers. He informed me that he had misplaced Patches.

As I knelt down to join the search, he cautioned me, "Please don't move any of my other stuffies. I have them all arranged."

I paused for a moment, my eyes still adjusting to the dark. As my visual purple took hold, this is what I saw:

Mind you, that's just at the head of his bed. All along the wall, more stuffies were meticulously placed, according to some deep logic. At the foot of the bed was Henry Walden and some of the larger bears. As I pulled my phone out to take a picture, Cody giggled.

"Do you do this every night?" I asked him.

He grinned at me as if I'd asked the silliest question in the world. "Of course I do, daddy."

We found Patches, tucked him in (you can see him between Snowy Owl and Mommy Penguin/Franklin), and then I kissed Cody goodnight and left him to his own devices. We never heard another sound from him, but I like to think that it was a short while before he drifted off to sleep.

(Pictured, from left to right, top row first: Bailey the Polar Bear, Bailey the Mouse, Penguin Chick, Prince, Baseball Bear, Gloria the Polar Bear, Mommy Mei Shan, Mommy Shark, Jonathan Bear; Second row: Baby Tippy, Miss Flippers, Baby Loggerhead Turtle, Snowy Owl, Patches, Mommy Penguin/Franklin, Bailey the Dolphin; Third row: Big Tippy, Otter, Duck Blanket.)

Cody Loves Emma

Funny. He's never been like this with his other little sister. Still, we'll take what we can get. And the below is...pretty great. 

Me too, buddy. Me too.

Emma's First Fortnight

When Cody was born, I remember our doctor knowingly telling us we'd think we had THE BEST baby in the entire world, because he would sleep all the time and lull us into a false sense of how easy and wonderful it all was. And how this was perhaps God's way of making sure we actually would take him home from the hospital, because if day three was anything like week three, we'd be tempted to just leave without him.

She was totally, completely, utterly right.

But anyway. We have enjoyed this drowsy period with Emma, which is rapidly coming to an end. Here are the highlights of her first two weeks ex utero. 

It's a tough life. Notice the second chin. Babies are supposed to feed 8-12 times a day (per 24 hours). Emma averages 14-17 times. Yep. So if you're wondering why I haven't answered your emails or calls--or left the house yet--you've got your answer. 

Just Overheard

CML: Cody, look at your excavator! He is lifting such a heavy load!
CJP: She. Mommy Excavator is a girl.
CML: How do you know? Does she sit down on the toilet?
CJP: Yes. 
CML: Girls sit down on the toilet. Boys do not. 
CJP: I know.
CML: Mommy sits down! I sit down! You and Daddy stand up.
CJP: I know.
CML: Girls do not stand up.
CJP: Cordelia. You know the rule. Bathroom talk stays in the bathroom!
CML: Let's go into the bathroom and do bathroom talk!

Emma Elisabeth is one week old!

Primary goals these days: 1) Shower. 2) Make sure everyone is alive at the end of the day. Check, check. Secondary goal? Celebrate every moment you can. Because the worst is still ahead.



Emma slept through her whole party. :)

Act 1: They Meet

...and it couldn't be sweeter.

For Unto Us A Child Is Born!

Presenting our beloved Emma Elisabeth Last, born Thursday, December 27, 2012, weighing in at 7 lbs, 7 oz and measuring 19" long. She is perfect, and welcome, and loved.